We had a plan for today and then we flushed it. We flushed it right out with the beautiful weather and replaced it with a much better plan - fun and service with our neighbors.
The day began like any other normal day - free play time, breakfast, dishes, reading, then the kids headed outside while I cleaned up and got Sirah to sleep. Sirah feel asleep and we headed out to the driveway to ride bikes for awhile. Then some of our neighbors came over and we had a nice time. We moved to this neighborhood in December and have only met two families so far. That is moving in the middle of the winter in Minnesota though. Now as the weather warms up we see that we have neighbors and are slowly meeting them.
How perfect it was to meet this family though - they live across the street and have a little boy Ciaran's age and a new baby girl a few months younger than Sirah. The boys hit it off and the mother and I chatted for a nice long time. They are similar in age and in careers (she stays home and her husband is also in the computer field) and in life stage with kids our age. It was nice to meet them and to begin to feel more like a neighborhood. We spent a good part of the morning with them having fun.
I got a call from another friend who just had a baby girl and also has two older kids similar in ages to mine. We offered to come and watch the older boys so she and her husband and new baby could take care of some things they needed to. The kids had lunch (fruit salad and tofu) and then a nap and then we headed to the store to pick up a small gift for each of the new big brothers. We were able to choose a meaningful gift for each of the kids and that was nice.
We arrived at their house and helped the parents and baby get ready to go - I took pictures of the parents with their new baby as well (somehow we always forget to get pictures all together in those early days) and then it was me and 5 children under the age of 6. The kids were all very well behaved and did a great job together. I must admit I was thankful for nice weather as they spent a good amount of time outside playing together. Meanwhile I cooked dinner and did some general pickup of the toys and things that were cluttered. I swept and finished cleaning an already clean kitchen and then the kids had dinner and dessert which we brought.
After dinner they were back outside to play more and I swept the floor again (it is quite muddy), did dishes, and changed the garbage, I hung up some clothes, picked up the kids room and thought about doing laundry but didn't want to chance ruining anything. The kids came in and cleaned up and the oldest got out their PJ's and I helped the younger one his. All the kids sat on the couch each with a book to look at while I put Sirah in the sling and vacuumed their living room and made sure everything was nice and clean and calm for the family to come home to.
I had just sat down and began reading a book to all the kids when the parents arrived home to find the kids all sitting quietly on the couch listening to a story believe it or not (Boy - 6 years, Rhiannon 4 year old girl, Ciaran - almost 3 year old boy, and another 2 year old boy, Sirah 7 month old girl) in their pj's and ready for bed. We gave them their gift - the baby blanket I had recently been crocheting and chatted for a very short time and then I rounded up my kids and headed out the door after asking the father to finish the chapter I had just begun for his sons. Hopefully they are able to relax and enjoy the evening for a little while and relax. My kids were thankfully very good on the half hour drive home and got ready for bed without too much complaint tonight.
Sirah is sitting on the floor playing and crawling next to me as I type and the older two are trying to fall asleep. It has been a great day even though we did not touch a school book we learned and did a lot. Some things we did talk about were how big the earth is, the new discovery on Mars, telling time, giving to and serving our friends, and we read several books as well. I really enjoyed today.
Peace,
Tenn
March 23, 2004
March 22, 2004
Papers on Homeschooling You Should Read
The National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education (NCSPE) has published two papers that Daily Education News covered today. The first paper released in January of 2004 is written by Clive Belfield and is titled "Homeschooling in the US" . He covers a lot of good issues. The second paper discusses cyber and "homeschool" charters. "Cyber and Home School Charter Schools: How States are Defining New Forms of Public Schooling" is written by Luis Herta and Maria-Fernanda Gonzalez.
Keep yourself informed of things being said and presented about homeschoolers.
Peace,
Tenn
Keep yourself informed of things being said and presented about homeschoolers.
Peace,
Tenn
March 21, 2004
Homeschooling in the mainstream
The Boston Globe has an excellent article on homeschooling. This piece focuses on teenagers (especially in Massachusets) and college admission of homeschoolers. A generally positvie piece and worth the read. Click here.
Peace,
Tenn
Peace,
Tenn
Worlds Apart are Close Together
I just got off the phone with a good friend, we were on the phone for nearly 3 hours and we had not spoken in months. This is a friend from college, in college we were roommates and very alike - we had nearly everything in common and many of the same ideals and goals for our lives. Now we are still close yet our lives at times can seem so far apart. Still our ideals and goals are very much the same and we still have a lot of common ground - though we have more differences now. Still the bond we have is strong.
This friend has been at my side within hours of the birth of all three of my children - despite living in a different part of the country (and sometimes a different continent) at the time. She was present at Ciaran's birth and watched Ciaran and Rhiannon for Sirah's birth. She had just returned from Africa before Rhiannon's birth and was leaving for Africa again shortly after Sirah's birth. Still she found time and circumstances to be with our family during these special times.
If you met both of us today and did not know us say 10 years ago you might be shocked we are friends. Tonight she was telling me about her new home and I had to ask the question if she had running water (she often does not) and was not surprised when she said no. She also has solar panels and fuelpowered refrigeration and a wood stove. She is not living iin Africa - currently she lives in the mountains of Colorado. She has an outhouse and a small A frame house and she is very content with her living quarters. As she said she would much rather have a small dwelling space and a large piece of land to roam on.
Then there is me. A big house in the suburbs, a minivan, a wireless network house with 4 computers, a robotic vacuum cleaner and a ton of other modern conveniences. Our lives can seem so far apart.
Yet they are not that far apart - we share a history - but we also share dreams of the future and hopes for our lives. We both want to make the world a better place (though we may disagree about how to get there), we both want to simplify our lives (though we do that in different ways) and we both are so used to being the odd one out.
It is enriching to my life and the life of my family to be a part of her life and have her a part of ours. Despite our differences I am so thankful that we have stayed close. We have had many ups and downs in our relationship and it seems we go through phases - but it truly is special to have someone you can connect that way with - even as you grow up to be different than you thought you would be and different from each other.
Peace,
Tenn
This friend has been at my side within hours of the birth of all three of my children - despite living in a different part of the country (and sometimes a different continent) at the time. She was present at Ciaran's birth and watched Ciaran and Rhiannon for Sirah's birth. She had just returned from Africa before Rhiannon's birth and was leaving for Africa again shortly after Sirah's birth. Still she found time and circumstances to be with our family during these special times.
If you met both of us today and did not know us say 10 years ago you might be shocked we are friends. Tonight she was telling me about her new home and I had to ask the question if she had running water (she often does not) and was not surprised when she said no. She also has solar panels and fuelpowered refrigeration and a wood stove. She is not living iin Africa - currently she lives in the mountains of Colorado. She has an outhouse and a small A frame house and she is very content with her living quarters. As she said she would much rather have a small dwelling space and a large piece of land to roam on.
Then there is me. A big house in the suburbs, a minivan, a wireless network house with 4 computers, a robotic vacuum cleaner and a ton of other modern conveniences. Our lives can seem so far apart.
Yet they are not that far apart - we share a history - but we also share dreams of the future and hopes for our lives. We both want to make the world a better place (though we may disagree about how to get there), we both want to simplify our lives (though we do that in different ways) and we both are so used to being the odd one out.
It is enriching to my life and the life of my family to be a part of her life and have her a part of ours. Despite our differences I am so thankful that we have stayed close. We have had many ups and downs in our relationship and it seems we go through phases - but it truly is special to have someone you can connect that way with - even as you grow up to be different than you thought you would be and different from each other.
Peace,
Tenn
March 19, 2004
Rhiannon's Views on Mommy
I found this quiz floating around on several of the blogs I read. Rhiannon and I are having a special night just the two of us. Serona is out at a movie and the younger two are asleep I have let her stay up on the couch with me and talked to her while I worked on the baby blanket I am making. We talked about God and why some people don't believe in God. We discussed homeschooling and why we do it and talked about my job before she was born (teaching and coaching debate) then she laid there on the couch and read books.
I thought this might be a nice time to try this. Of course I have no idea what I am going to get myself into - as she is just four, but I will ask and then simply type what she says - even if it isn't what I want to hear. In Rhiannon's words:
1. Why did God make mothers?
Becuase they can nurse and take care of babies
2. How did God make mothers?
He made everyone out of dust including mothers.
3. What ingredients are mothers made out of?
dust
4. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mother?
Because he loves us and he wants us to have a great mommy.
5. What kind of little girl was your mom?
A very special girl.
6. What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
She needed to learn to love a husband before you marry him.
7. Why did your mom marry your dad?
Because once she met him she decided to marry him because he loved her so much.
8. Who's the boss at your home?
Our parents
9. What is the difference between mommies and daddies?
Daddies have beer and prickles (refering to his beard stubble) and mommies have black hair and nonnies (her word for nursing).
10. What does your mom do in her spare time?
Rest and watch movies
11. What would it take to make your mom perfect?
Just the way you are
12. If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
I don't want to change anything about you I like you just the way you are.
There you have it from her through me typing. I promise I did not encourage her or change her answers.
Peace,
Tenn
I thought this might be a nice time to try this. Of course I have no idea what I am going to get myself into - as she is just four, but I will ask and then simply type what she says - even if it isn't what I want to hear. In Rhiannon's words:
1. Why did God make mothers?
Becuase they can nurse and take care of babies
2. How did God make mothers?
He made everyone out of dust including mothers.
3. What ingredients are mothers made out of?
dust
4. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mother?
Because he loves us and he wants us to have a great mommy.
5. What kind of little girl was your mom?
A very special girl.
6. What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
She needed to learn to love a husband before you marry him.
7. Why did your mom marry your dad?
Because once she met him she decided to marry him because he loved her so much.
8. Who's the boss at your home?
Our parents
9. What is the difference between mommies and daddies?
Daddies have beer and prickles (refering to his beard stubble) and mommies have black hair and nonnies (her word for nursing).
10. What does your mom do in her spare time?
Rest and watch movies
11. What would it take to make your mom perfect?
Just the way you are
12. If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
I don't want to change anything about you I like you just the way you are.
There you have it from her through me typing. I promise I did not encourage her or change her answers.
Peace,
Tenn
A Gathering of Planets
For all astronomers out there - March 22nd is a great day! All 5 naked eye planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter) will be visible in the sky together without a telescope. So plan a night of it right after dinner.
Read the full story at NASA.
Peace,
Tenn
Read the full story at NASA.
Peace,
Tenn
Fly By Asteroid
"Using the 14-inch SoTIE telescope in Las Campanas, Chile, Gianluca Masi and Franco Mallia captured this video of the asteroid: "
Taken from: Space Weather.
Peace,
Tenn
Warming Up in Minnesota
It feels like a heat wave here, we are actually going to reach 50 degree today. Of course you need to add in the 45 mile an hour wind that we have that makes it feel colder than it is. Still it feels so warm we have spent a good amount of the day outside. The kids finally got to ride their bikes today - they have REALLY been missing that. We bought new helmets and realize that Rhiannon might even need the next size bike already! I still can't believe she learned to ride a two wheeler when she just turned 4! I was wondering if she would forget - but as the old saying goes - you always remember. The older kids rode up and down the driveway while Sirah slept inside and I sat on a chair crocheting a baby blanket for a friend - who had a little girl just last night! I am really enjoying crocheting and it allows me to be with the kids and also do something else. After Sirah woke up I headed back inside and the kids played on the wooden playset in the backyard and in the rocks until the wind was too much for them. They came in and we had hot cocoa and lunch.
We actually got some work done today too. Rhiannon started out by practicing writing straight lines (both vertical and horizontal), then she did self checking math cards in addition and subtraction and a subtraction file folder game. Then we did some copywork and finished up with her reading me a chapter from the Dick and Jane primary reader she just got. While we were doing that Ciaran played quietly on the floor with scissors and paper - he is really into cutting and then with some stickers. He took out a felt kit on making a rainbow with fruit and then did some wooden puzzles, he finished up with playing with his train set. Sirah moved around on the floor and mostly ate whatever came near her mouth. The faithful Aussie laid in the room with us very mellow.
We decorated our bathroom today in a fish theme, the kids helped me and they really like it. I think we are finally done - until we get around to painting and hanging artwork. We actually have curtains up so the neighbors no longer know every aspect of our lives! The house is really coming together and for the first time it feels like a place I want to stay instead of a place I am in for a period of time to be determined. Of course this is we are talking about so you never can be sure (we have had six homes (in 3 different states) since Rhiannon was born just over 4 years ago!
The kids are napping and I did some LLL work, and reading the news and cleaning. The afternoon is all about laundry and making dinner - perhaps they will want to be outside again.
Peace,
Tenn
We actually got some work done today too. Rhiannon started out by practicing writing straight lines (both vertical and horizontal), then she did self checking math cards in addition and subtraction and a subtraction file folder game. Then we did some copywork and finished up with her reading me a chapter from the Dick and Jane primary reader she just got. While we were doing that Ciaran played quietly on the floor with scissors and paper - he is really into cutting and then with some stickers. He took out a felt kit on making a rainbow with fruit and then did some wooden puzzles, he finished up with playing with his train set. Sirah moved around on the floor and mostly ate whatever came near her mouth. The faithful Aussie laid in the room with us very mellow.
We decorated our bathroom today in a fish theme, the kids helped me and they really like it. I think we are finally done - until we get around to painting and hanging artwork. We actually have curtains up so the neighbors no longer know every aspect of our lives! The house is really coming together and for the first time it feels like a place I want to stay instead of a place I am in for a period of time to be determined. Of course this is we are talking about so you never can be sure (we have had six homes (in 3 different states) since Rhiannon was born just over 4 years ago!
The kids are napping and I did some LLL work, and reading the news and cleaning. The afternoon is all about laundry and making dinner - perhaps they will want to be outside again.
Peace,
Tenn
Stay-at-home moms get their due
The current Time magazine cover story is on mothers choosing to stay at home to raise their kids. There is a nice review of the piece here.
The piece concludes:
"Stay-at-home moms have been bombarded for years with messages disparaging their choice. Now they should hear something else: that staying at home is a great and admirable act of self-sacrifice; that a career is not the only venue for important and meaningful work; that it is not unambitious to want to give your young children the full measure of your energy and attention."
Peace,
Tenn
The piece concludes:
"Stay-at-home moms have been bombarded for years with messages disparaging their choice. Now they should hear something else: that staying at home is a great and admirable act of self-sacrifice; that a career is not the only venue for important and meaningful work; that it is not unambitious to want to give your young children the full measure of your energy and attention."
Peace,
Tenn
March 18, 2004
Miss Rumphius Lesson
Today we had our homeschool support group literature based class. The first class was "I'm Gonna Like Me" by Jamie Lee Curtis, find out more here. Today we studied Miss Rumphius by Barabara Cooney. This is one of my favorite children's books of all time. I really enjoyed the group activities we did as well.
We began by sitting in a circle and reading the book to all the kids. Then we talked about how Miss Rumphius traveled to far away places and let the kids each share a place they would like to travel to, several of the older children had drawn a picture to represent where they would travel too and each took a turn explaining why or answering questions that people asked. Some places people wanted to visit included: Mars, Egypt, Hawaii, a cave, and the inside of a spinning potato (complete with a demonstration of how a potato would spin). Ciaran wanted to visit the Star Wars family in space on their spaceship and shared a book with pictures of the Star Wars characters. Rhiannon brought in a book and map of Ireland - her location of choice. She held the book on her lap and showed the pictures. She said she would like to visit because of the castles, pretty gardens, and nice sunsets. She wore her Irish step dance costume including her ghillies and demonstrated an Irish dance. She did not do the complete dance - but it was nice to see her willing to stand up in front of her peers and do what she did.
After that we painted lupines. Two of the older children had prepainted the green stems and a mother brought pretty pastel paints. The kids used their fingers to make lupine flowers. Each child made one - we used this example as a basis. Though each child's flower looked very different. Ciaran made a purple one and Rhiannon made a light blue one. While we were painting the lupines we talked about some ways we could make our world a more beautiful place. Some ideas the kids came up with were: to clean up trash, to plant flowers, to plant trees, doing art, performing dance, and writing poetry. We talked about possibly following this class up with a service project and linking it back to the book - perhaps using some ideas the kids came up with today.
We ended the class with planting lupine seeds in individual flowerpots so each child took a flower home as well as their painting and whatever picture they drew of the place they would like to visit. The kids seemed to enjoy planting the seeds. While some mothers cleaned up the room (we painted and used soil today) another mother led the kids in several games of "Duck Duck Goose", "Red Light, Green Light" and something that appeared to be moving together as butterflies or ballet dancers.
This was definitely a fun lesson and I would encourage you to try it out with a group of kids. It is even a nice lesson to just do at home with one or two children - though I do think having the interaction between the children was valuable and fun! This lesson can be adapted for a variety of ages. Today our range was 2-11 and it worked out nicely. With older children you could enhance the presentation given on location to visit to include maps, artifacts, trip itinerary and travel guides for what they might do there. You could also enhance the "Make the world a more beautiful place" discussion to include citizenship and stewardship, community service and philanthropy. This is a great book to use as a springboard for many lessons. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is wonderful and appropriate for all ages. Truly a children's classic that parents will like as well.
Peace,
Tenn
We began by sitting in a circle and reading the book to all the kids. Then we talked about how Miss Rumphius traveled to far away places and let the kids each share a place they would like to travel to, several of the older children had drawn a picture to represent where they would travel too and each took a turn explaining why or answering questions that people asked. Some places people wanted to visit included: Mars, Egypt, Hawaii, a cave, and the inside of a spinning potato (complete with a demonstration of how a potato would spin). Ciaran wanted to visit the Star Wars family in space on their spaceship and shared a book with pictures of the Star Wars characters. Rhiannon brought in a book and map of Ireland - her location of choice. She held the book on her lap and showed the pictures. She said she would like to visit because of the castles, pretty gardens, and nice sunsets. She wore her Irish step dance costume including her ghillies and demonstrated an Irish dance. She did not do the complete dance - but it was nice to see her willing to stand up in front of her peers and do what she did.
After that we painted lupines. Two of the older children had prepainted the green stems and a mother brought pretty pastel paints. The kids used their fingers to make lupine flowers. Each child made one - we used this example as a basis. Though each child's flower looked very different. Ciaran made a purple one and Rhiannon made a light blue one. While we were painting the lupines we talked about some ways we could make our world a more beautiful place. Some ideas the kids came up with were: to clean up trash, to plant flowers, to plant trees, doing art, performing dance, and writing poetry. We talked about possibly following this class up with a service project and linking it back to the book - perhaps using some ideas the kids came up with today.
We ended the class with planting lupine seeds in individual flowerpots so each child took a flower home as well as their painting and whatever picture they drew of the place they would like to visit. The kids seemed to enjoy planting the seeds. While some mothers cleaned up the room (we painted and used soil today) another mother led the kids in several games of "Duck Duck Goose", "Red Light, Green Light" and something that appeared to be moving together as butterflies or ballet dancers.
This was definitely a fun lesson and I would encourage you to try it out with a group of kids. It is even a nice lesson to just do at home with one or two children - though I do think having the interaction between the children was valuable and fun! This lesson can be adapted for a variety of ages. Today our range was 2-11 and it worked out nicely. With older children you could enhance the presentation given on location to visit to include maps, artifacts, trip itinerary and travel guides for what they might do there. You could also enhance the "Make the world a more beautiful place" discussion to include citizenship and stewardship, community service and philanthropy. This is a great book to use as a springboard for many lessons. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is wonderful and appropriate for all ages. Truly a children's classic that parents will like as well.
Peace,
Tenn
March 17, 2004
St Patrick's Day activities
We have had a good day today. We have listened to Irish music all day - jigs, reels, contemporary and traditional. Rhiannon has performed her Irish dance several times today and enjoyed teaching me how to do it as well. We have talked about Ireland and looked at the map. We frosted shamrock cookies with bright green frosting and little shamrock sprinkles. During snack time we had a lesson about St. Patrick's Day and some of the things associated with this day. We talked about who St. Patrick really was and what he did. We talked about what it means to be a Christian missionary and that the legend about St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is not true. We discussed shamrocks and how Patrick used them to explain the meaning of the Holy Trinity. We talked about leprechauns and pots of gold and rainbows.
We looked at harps, shellelighs, and the flag of Ireland. We talked about the symbolism of the Irish flag and what each color means: (old Ireland (green), new Ireland (orange) and the peace that exists between them (white). We read several books about the Irish and Ireland. We looked at our family crest and discussed what it means. We talked about where we are from on the map of Ireland (or where our descendents are from). We looked at a beautiful picture book of Ireland. The kids all wore green and Irish themed clothing. Rhiannon wearing an Irish dancer shirt and Ciaran wearing a shirt with shamrocks, Sirah wearing a beautiful green dress and myself wearing our Family Reunion shirt with our coat of arms. Even Serona wore a shamrock on his lapel to work.
No parades or ceili's this year however, perhaps next year. Some great resources we utilized for out St Patrick's Day lesson Plan this year are Enchanted Learning (I really liked their tabbed book - it had lots of easy to digest facts), National Geographic online, Ed Helper, The History Channel and How Stuff Works. There are also great sites for Irish Proverbs, Quotations and Sayings - one can be found at Irish Quotations.
The kids also spent alot of time outdoors today in our Minnesota heatwave - it was nearly 40 degrees. It is nice to have them outside again.
Hope you and your clan have a great day.
Slainte,
Tenn
We looked at harps, shellelighs, and the flag of Ireland. We talked about the symbolism of the Irish flag and what each color means: (old Ireland (green), new Ireland (orange) and the peace that exists between them (white). We read several books about the Irish and Ireland. We looked at our family crest and discussed what it means. We talked about where we are from on the map of Ireland (or where our descendents are from). We looked at a beautiful picture book of Ireland. The kids all wore green and Irish themed clothing. Rhiannon wearing an Irish dancer shirt and Ciaran wearing a shirt with shamrocks, Sirah wearing a beautiful green dress and myself wearing our Family Reunion shirt with our coat of arms. Even Serona wore a shamrock on his lapel to work.
No parades or ceili's this year however, perhaps next year. Some great resources we utilized for out St Patrick's Day lesson Plan this year are Enchanted Learning (I really liked their tabbed book - it had lots of easy to digest facts), National Geographic online, Ed Helper, The History Channel and How Stuff Works. There are also great sites for Irish Proverbs, Quotations and Sayings - one can be found at Irish Quotations.
The kids also spent alot of time outdoors today in our Minnesota heatwave - it was nearly 40 degrees. It is nice to have them outside again.
Hope you and your clan have a great day.
Slainte,
Tenn
Happy St Patrick's Day
Top of the morning to you all and may you have a great St. Patrick's Day. It is said that everyone has a bit of Irish in them on St. Patrick's Day. Our family is quite Irish and we try to keep that as a part of our culture. Today we will talk about Ireland (we pulled out a map of Ireland to hang on the wall), we will color an Irish flag and talk about our heritage. We will decorate shamrock cookies and eat them. And read some traditional folklore and perform our Irish step dance. I have tried to always celebrate St Patrick's Day - though the celebrations have changed. This year I will not be drinking green beer (which I think is gross by the way) now I might have just one Guinness and enjoy the other aspects. We will not be eating cornbeef and cabbage as vegetarians - but the day is meaningflu all the same.
Here is a blessing for you today.
"The Irish Blessing":
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU,
MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK
MAY THE SUN SHINE UPON YOUR FACE
THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS
AND, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND"
Slainte,
Tenn
Here is a blessing for you today.
"The Irish Blessing":
MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU,
MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK
MAY THE SUN SHINE UPON YOUR FACE
THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS
AND, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND"
Slainte,
Tenn
Favorite Poem About the Irish
An Irishman Is A Guy Who...
* May not be sure there is a God, but is damn sure of the infallibility of the Pope;
* Won't eat meat on Friday, but will drink gin for breakfast;
* Believes everything he can't see and nothing he can;
* Is against abortion but in favor of hanging;
* Has such great respect for the truth, he uses it in emergencies;
* Is irrational in important things, and a tower of strength in the trivial;
* Gets married for life, but not necessarily for love;
* Can argue either side of a question, often at the same time;
* Sees things not as they are, but as they never will be;
* Believes in leprechauns and banshees, and considers anyone who doesn't to be a heathen;
* Can lick any man in the house he is the sole occupant of;
* Cries at sad movies but cheers in battle;
* Considers funerals a festivity but weddings sad events- to be put off as long as possible, preferably forever;
* Hates the English but reserves his cruelty for his countrymen;
* Gets more Irish the further he gets from Ireland;
* Is not afraid of dying, in fact may prefer it;
* Believes that God is Irish or, at least. Catholic;
* Is against corruption, unless it's a Democrat;
* Takes the pledge not to drink at the age of twelve, and every four years thereafter;
* Believes that to forgive is divine, therefore doesn't exercise it himself;
* Believes that salvation can be acheived by weekly envelopes;
* Considers anyone who won't come around to his point of view to be hopelessly stuborn;
* Loves religion for its own sake but also because it makes it damnably inconvenient for his neighbors;
* Considers a bore to be someone who constantly keeps interrupting;
* Scorns money but worships those who have it;
* Considers an Irishman who acheives success to be a traitor.
The Irish are a very perverse, complex people. It's what makes them so loveable.
They are banking so heavily that God has the same sense of humor.
Sign on the wall at Caffney's Emerald Isle, Washington, D.C.
(Owned, in order, by an Irishman, a Greek, and an Italian.)
* May not be sure there is a God, but is damn sure of the infallibility of the Pope;
* Won't eat meat on Friday, but will drink gin for breakfast;
* Believes everything he can't see and nothing he can;
* Is against abortion but in favor of hanging;
* Has such great respect for the truth, he uses it in emergencies;
* Is irrational in important things, and a tower of strength in the trivial;
* Gets married for life, but not necessarily for love;
* Can argue either side of a question, often at the same time;
* Sees things not as they are, but as they never will be;
* Believes in leprechauns and banshees, and considers anyone who doesn't to be a heathen;
* Can lick any man in the house he is the sole occupant of;
* Cries at sad movies but cheers in battle;
* Considers funerals a festivity but weddings sad events- to be put off as long as possible, preferably forever;
* Hates the English but reserves his cruelty for his countrymen;
* Gets more Irish the further he gets from Ireland;
* Is not afraid of dying, in fact may prefer it;
* Believes that God is Irish or, at least. Catholic;
* Is against corruption, unless it's a Democrat;
* Takes the pledge not to drink at the age of twelve, and every four years thereafter;
* Believes that to forgive is divine, therefore doesn't exercise it himself;
* Believes that salvation can be acheived by weekly envelopes;
* Considers anyone who won't come around to his point of view to be hopelessly stuborn;
* Loves religion for its own sake but also because it makes it damnably inconvenient for his neighbors;
* Considers a bore to be someone who constantly keeps interrupting;
* Scorns money but worships those who have it;
* Considers an Irishman who acheives success to be a traitor.
The Irish are a very perverse, complex people. It's what makes them so loveable.
They are banking so heavily that God has the same sense of humor.
Sign on the wall at Caffney's Emerald Isle, Washington, D.C.
(Owned, in order, by an Irishman, a Greek, and an Italian.)
Lessons My Mother Taught Me
My mother recently visited us for 10 days. It was very nice to see her and spend time together. Distance can be so hard, we had not seen one another for over a year and what a year it was! This was actually the first time my mother was able to see and hold Sirah and Ciaran has changed a lot since the last time she saw him. Rhiannon has grown up some too but the changes are more subtle in her these days. It was nice for us all.
I realized during this visit how much my mother has influenced the person I have become. I can only mention a few ways here yet I know there are so many more. My mother showed me that staying home was a worthwhile goal and an important thing to value. She has always stayed home with all my brothers and I and was there for us. She was always the mom who drove us and all our friends everywhere. My mother gave me a passion for knowledge and a love of reading. She is quite a reader herself and she and my father always made sure we had plenty of books available to us. Reading has always been an important part of my life.
My mother gave me a passion for sharing our family history, inspiring me to keep a written journal to each of my children and that eventually spurred my decision to keep this blog. My mother passed on her talent for storytelling as well. She gave me a tremendous ability for compassion and empathy and gave me an example of how to always put people first in life. My mother taught me generosity as well, she is one of the most generous people that I know.
My mom taught me to stand up for what I believe in - even when it is not easy. I have memories of her activism early on in my life. Whether it was standing up for taxpayers rights, protecting her children, or being my brother's advocate to get him the help he needed - she demonstrated a willingness to stand up for what was right. I have many of those same traits now and have throughout my life.
My mother raised us to be independent and self-sufficient. Sometimes I think she has mixed feelings about this aspect of our family's personality. She is glad that we are independent - but it makes it hard on her when we scattered throughout the country and live in California, Minnesota, and one who keeps moving (besides me) while her and my father stay in New York. She jokes and says she should have taught us like the Truman Show that there is no life across the bridge - so we would all stay nearby. But all in all I know she is proud of us and glad we can and do make our own decisions.
There are so many positive ways my mother (and father) have influenced me and helped shape me into the person I am today. So thank you mom and dad - your influence has served me well and will continue to do so.
Peace,
Tenn
I realized during this visit how much my mother has influenced the person I have become. I can only mention a few ways here yet I know there are so many more. My mother showed me that staying home was a worthwhile goal and an important thing to value. She has always stayed home with all my brothers and I and was there for us. She was always the mom who drove us and all our friends everywhere. My mother gave me a passion for knowledge and a love of reading. She is quite a reader herself and she and my father always made sure we had plenty of books available to us. Reading has always been an important part of my life.
My mother gave me a passion for sharing our family history, inspiring me to keep a written journal to each of my children and that eventually spurred my decision to keep this blog. My mother passed on her talent for storytelling as well. She gave me a tremendous ability for compassion and empathy and gave me an example of how to always put people first in life. My mother taught me generosity as well, she is one of the most generous people that I know.
My mom taught me to stand up for what I believe in - even when it is not easy. I have memories of her activism early on in my life. Whether it was standing up for taxpayers rights, protecting her children, or being my brother's advocate to get him the help he needed - she demonstrated a willingness to stand up for what was right. I have many of those same traits now and have throughout my life.
My mother raised us to be independent and self-sufficient. Sometimes I think she has mixed feelings about this aspect of our family's personality. She is glad that we are independent - but it makes it hard on her when we scattered throughout the country and live in California, Minnesota, and one who keeps moving (besides me) while her and my father stay in New York. She jokes and says she should have taught us like the Truman Show that there is no life across the bridge - so we would all stay nearby. But all in all I know she is proud of us and glad we can and do make our own decisions.
There are so many positive ways my mother (and father) have influenced me and helped shape me into the person I am today. So thank you mom and dad - your influence has served me well and will continue to do so.
Peace,
Tenn
March 16, 2004
On tolerance
I have removed a recent post due to controversy over it. I think I was having a hard time expressing myself clearly. I am not a hateful or intolerant person. I simply want the right to teach my children that there is such a thing as right and wrong. I do NOT believe all "multicultural" studies are bad - as a matter of fact we try to study and learn about and respect all different kinds of cultures. We read books on all sorts of cultures and try to meet different kinds of people - we have an interracial family and friends. Anyone who knows me knows I am not an intolerant or hateful person. I am sorry if I have offended some people - perhaps I was not expressing my views clearly.
The best I can explain is I teach my children to love ALL people irregardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, matriculation and even level of kindness. I do so because I believe all people are created in God's image and deserve respect and we are called to love everyone. I teach my children that there are differences between people and we need to accept and respect those differences. I try to show them how different people live and discuss the benefits of those choices. We read stories and non-fiction books about a wide variety of people, we treat all people we meet with the same level of respect and honoring. We seek out legends and traditional stories from a wide variety of cultures and I try my best to expose my kids to as much as I can and to be intolerant of intolerance.
However, I believe it is acceptable to teach my children that there is a right and a wrong. I want them to have a solid moral foundation and to be able to make moral judgments for themselves. I think there are things that people do that are wrong and that it is acceptable to say so. I do not however think that an individual choice is a reflection on an entire group of people or culture. I try to teach my children to disagree with the choice or belief but still love the person. Now that is a hard lesson to teach, to learn and to live out - but that is our goal and that is the way we approach education and life. I am a dying minority of people in our postmodern culture who believes there are absolute morals on some issues and I believe there is a way to determine right from wrong.
I believe in tolerance and I believe in love and I am tolerant and I do love people. However, I do not believe in tolerance as outright and unconditional acceptance (which is often how it is taught) and some say that makes me intolerant. I find that ironic as they do not "tolerate" me or my beliefs.
I teach my kids about a variety of cultures, I teach them that we all need to get along, we all need to be respectful and mindful of one another's differences, try to be kind to that person in a way they understand and that NOONE is "better" than anyone else because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, matriculation, culture or other classifying category. And even if they don't like the person they need to love the person Even if they disagree with the action or decision made they still need to love and respect the individual and not pass judgment on them or their culture.
So NO I am not intolerant, racist or hateful. But I don't accept and embrace behavior and choices I believe are wrong as right in order to be tolerant.
Peace,
Tenn
The best I can explain is I teach my children to love ALL people irregardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, matriculation and even level of kindness. I do so because I believe all people are created in God's image and deserve respect and we are called to love everyone. I teach my children that there are differences between people and we need to accept and respect those differences. I try to show them how different people live and discuss the benefits of those choices. We read stories and non-fiction books about a wide variety of people, we treat all people we meet with the same level of respect and honoring. We seek out legends and traditional stories from a wide variety of cultures and I try my best to expose my kids to as much as I can and to be intolerant of intolerance.
However, I believe it is acceptable to teach my children that there is a right and a wrong. I want them to have a solid moral foundation and to be able to make moral judgments for themselves. I think there are things that people do that are wrong and that it is acceptable to say so. I do not however think that an individual choice is a reflection on an entire group of people or culture. I try to teach my children to disagree with the choice or belief but still love the person. Now that is a hard lesson to teach, to learn and to live out - but that is our goal and that is the way we approach education and life. I am a dying minority of people in our postmodern culture who believes there are absolute morals on some issues and I believe there is a way to determine right from wrong.
I believe in tolerance and I believe in love and I am tolerant and I do love people. However, I do not believe in tolerance as outright and unconditional acceptance (which is often how it is taught) and some say that makes me intolerant. I find that ironic as they do not "tolerate" me or my beliefs.
I teach my kids about a variety of cultures, I teach them that we all need to get along, we all need to be respectful and mindful of one another's differences, try to be kind to that person in a way they understand and that NOONE is "better" than anyone else because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, matriculation, culture or other classifying category. And even if they don't like the person they need to love the person Even if they disagree with the action or decision made they still need to love and respect the individual and not pass judgment on them or their culture.
So NO I am not intolerant, racist or hateful. But I don't accept and embrace behavior and choices I believe are wrong as right in order to be tolerant.
Peace,
Tenn
Sedna Picture
I thought this was a neat image and the kids favorite from the recent ones we have looked at of Sedna . This is an artist's rendition of the planet-like Sedna found at Spitzer Space Telescope.
Peace,
Tenn
March Reading List
The Wide Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner
Blueberry Shoe by Ann Dixon
A Pair of Red Sneakers b y Lisa Lawston
The Wheels on the Bus by Paul Zelinsky
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban
Rachael: The Story of Rachael Carson by Amy Erlich
Chicken Soup for Little Souls: The Braids Girl by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Little House in Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (we started in Feb and just finished)
Marmee's Suprise: A Little Women Story by Monica Kulling
Here is the Coral Reef by Madeline Dunphy
Homes in Colonial America by Mark Thomas
Cheetahs by Stephanie St. Pierre
Mary Cassat: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists Series by Mike Venezia
Castles, Caves and Honeycombs by Linda Ashman
Carousel by Donald Crews
When I Grow Up by Bruce Lansky (on careers)
My "C" Sound box by Jane Belk Moncure
Hunting The White Cow by Tres Seymour
Crickwing by Janell Cannon
Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Best Dad in the Sea Finding Nemo by Disney/Pixar
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Have You Seen My Cat by Eric Carle
Learn Your Numbers by Sparkle Book
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
It's My City by April Pulley Sayre
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too by Eric Carle
Car Wash by
Lyle Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber
Chanticlerr and the Fox by Barbara Cooney (adapted from Canterbury Tales by Chaucer)
Curious George and the Chocolate Factory by HA Rey
God made You Special by Eric Metaxas
My C Sound box by Jane Belk moncure
The Missing beach Ball by Sonali fry
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Sailor Moo Cow at Sea by Lisa Wheeler
The Cat in the Hat by Dr Suess
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Olivia by Ian Falconer
Vegetable Garden by Douglas Florian
Rabbits Rabbits and More Rabbits by Gail Gibbons
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Gulls Gulls Gulls by Gail Gibbons
Grandpa's Quilt by Betsy Franco
The Cello of Mr O by Jane Cutler (not for younger readers)
I Love Skating by Jane Feldman
Circus by Lois Ehlert
Have you seen my cat by Eric Carle
The Cookie Store Cat by Cynthia Rylant
Can You Count to a Google by Robert E Wells
Bugs are Insects by Anne Rockwell
Be a Good Sport by Jennifer Waters
A Pony's Tale by Jodi Huelin
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
The Skwalker Family Albulm by Random House
Go-Karts b Jeff Savage
The 18 penny goose by Sally Walker
Gemstones by Ann Squire
Growing Pains by Jenny Stow
Gina by Bernard Waber
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
When the Root Children Wake Up bu Audrey Wood
What Are Germs by Dr Alvin Silverstein
Kirsten Learns a Lesson by THe American Girl Collection
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Jamie O'Rourke and the big potato by Tomie DePaola
Christopher Columbus by Piero Ventura
Glory by Nancy White Carlstrom
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Daisy's garden by Mordicai Gerstein
Grandfather's journey by Allen Say
Ancient Greece by Peter Chrisp.
Glass by Claire Llewellyn.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin JR
Resources We Are Using
Discovering Castle Days by J. Bradley Cruxton and W Douglas Wilson
Last Updated March 16, 2004
Blueberry Shoe by Ann Dixon
A Pair of Red Sneakers b y Lisa Lawston
The Wheels on the Bus by Paul Zelinsky
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban
Rachael: The Story of Rachael Carson by Amy Erlich
Chicken Soup for Little Souls: The Braids Girl by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Little House in Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (we started in Feb and just finished)
Marmee's Suprise: A Little Women Story by Monica Kulling
Here is the Coral Reef by Madeline Dunphy
Homes in Colonial America by Mark Thomas
Cheetahs by Stephanie St. Pierre
Mary Cassat: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists Series by Mike Venezia
Castles, Caves and Honeycombs by Linda Ashman
Carousel by Donald Crews
When I Grow Up by Bruce Lansky (on careers)
My "C" Sound box by Jane Belk Moncure
Hunting The White Cow by Tres Seymour
Crickwing by Janell Cannon
Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Best Dad in the Sea Finding Nemo by Disney/Pixar
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Have You Seen My Cat by Eric Carle
Learn Your Numbers by Sparkle Book
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
It's My City by April Pulley Sayre
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too by Eric Carle
Car Wash by
Lyle Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber
Chanticlerr and the Fox by Barbara Cooney (adapted from Canterbury Tales by Chaucer)
Curious George and the Chocolate Factory by HA Rey
God made You Special by Eric Metaxas
My C Sound box by Jane Belk moncure
The Missing beach Ball by Sonali fry
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Sailor Moo Cow at Sea by Lisa Wheeler
The Cat in the Hat by Dr Suess
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Olivia by Ian Falconer
Vegetable Garden by Douglas Florian
Rabbits Rabbits and More Rabbits by Gail Gibbons
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Gulls Gulls Gulls by Gail Gibbons
Grandpa's Quilt by Betsy Franco
The Cello of Mr O by Jane Cutler (not for younger readers)
I Love Skating by Jane Feldman
Circus by Lois Ehlert
Have you seen my cat by Eric Carle
The Cookie Store Cat by Cynthia Rylant
Can You Count to a Google by Robert E Wells
Bugs are Insects by Anne Rockwell
Be a Good Sport by Jennifer Waters
A Pony's Tale by Jodi Huelin
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
The Skwalker Family Albulm by Random House
Go-Karts b Jeff Savage
The 18 penny goose by Sally Walker
Gemstones by Ann Squire
Growing Pains by Jenny Stow
Gina by Bernard Waber
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
When the Root Children Wake Up bu Audrey Wood
What Are Germs by Dr Alvin Silverstein
Kirsten Learns a Lesson by THe American Girl Collection
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Jamie O'Rourke and the big potato by Tomie DePaola
Christopher Columbus by Piero Ventura
Glory by Nancy White Carlstrom
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Daisy's garden by Mordicai Gerstein
Grandfather's journey by Allen Say
Ancient Greece by Peter Chrisp.
Glass by Claire Llewellyn.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin JR
Resources We Are Using
Discovering Castle Days by J. Bradley Cruxton and W Douglas Wilson
Last Updated March 16, 2004
March 15, 2004
Sedna Update
For more information about the planet-like Sedna recently discussed by NASA visit The Spitzer Space Telescop at CalTech, which has many cool images and some information. You can also read NASA'a briefing.
Peace,
Tenn
Peace,
Tenn
Big Day for Sirah
Well little Sirah is growing up so quickly! She is nearly seven months old now and has had a very big day. Over the weekend she was getting her bearings to crawl and still is. As soon as you sit her down she leans over to crawl. Today she managed to crawl backwards! She can also get herself from sitting to a crawling position and rocks back and forth on her hands and toes. She can even get from that position back into a sitting position. Then today she decided to roll over for the first time, she went from her back to her stomach. I was thinking she would crawl before roll - but I guess it will be a tie!
Well the days of sitting her down and expecting her to stay in one place are over! I guess we will begin the babyproofing process again. I am amazed at the changes in her. She has two teeth and appears to be working on two others. She is babbling and playing with toys very well - she is pretty independent and has a red headed Irish temper combined with her German stubbornness (watch out) and you can tell she really just wants to be moving. I don't think it will be long before she masters crawling. She even began moving her hands and feet together (she fell right on her tummy though).
I'm off to finish my bible study questions and enjoy the afternoon with the kids.
Peace,
Tenn
Well the days of sitting her down and expecting her to stay in one place are over! I guess we will begin the babyproofing process again. I am amazed at the changes in her. She has two teeth and appears to be working on two others. She is babbling and playing with toys very well - she is pretty independent and has a red headed Irish temper combined with her German stubbornness (watch out) and you can tell she really just wants to be moving. I don't think it will be long before she masters crawling. She even began moving her hands and feet together (she fell right on her tummy though).
I'm off to finish my bible study questions and enjoy the afternoon with the kids.
Peace,
Tenn
March 14, 2004
New Planet? Nasa briefing
NASA will hold a news briefing on Monday March 15th at 1 pm EST. The discovery of a mysterious object in our solar system is the topic to be covered.
According to the press release:
"Dr. Michael Brown, associate professor of planetary astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. will present his discovery of the most distant object ever detected orbiting the sun. He and colleagues made the discovery as part of a NASA-funded research project."
To read the full press release visit NASA.
Some are speculating that this could be a new planet in our system. From The Australian care of Drudge Report:
Be sure to tune tomorrowrow to find out what NASA has to say and learn more about the new discovery.
Peace,
Tenn
According to the press release:
"Dr. Michael Brown, associate professor of planetary astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. will present his discovery of the most distant object ever detected orbiting the sun. He and colleagues made the discovery as part of a NASA-funded research project."
To read the full press release visit NASA.
Some are speculating that this could be a new planet in our system. From The Australian care of Drudge Report:
" NASA is expected to announce today the discovery of the space object, which some experts believe could be a new planet.
It is provisionally known as Sedna, after the Inuit goddess of the sea.
The discovery of Sedna 10 billion kilometres from Earth is a testament to the new generation of high-powered telescopes.
Measurements suggest Sedna's diameter is almost 2000km the biggest find in the solar system since Pluto was discovered 74 years ago. It is believed to be made of ice and rock, and is slightly smaller than Pluto.
The find will reignite the debate over what constitutes a planet. Some scientists claim even Pluto is too small to count as one. "
Be sure to tune tomorrowrow to find out what NASA has to say and learn more about the new discovery.
Peace,
Tenn
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